Increase in assaults on Sussex police officers 'sickening'

An increase in assaults on Sussex Police officers and staff during the coronavirus pandemic is being described as 'sickening'.

The force has recorded 169 offences involving members of frontline staff, including officers, PCSOs and other emergency workers, in the first four weeks of the lockdown.

That's an increase of 39% on the same period last year, with an increasing number being linked to covid-19.

Offences have included officers being punched, kicked, bitten, spat and coughed on.

Some have also faced threats that they and members of their family would be infected with coronavirus.

Last weekend, eight police officers and a PCSO reported assaults across Sussex.

One of those took place in Littlehampton, where an officer was bitten on the finger by a man fined for breaching covid-19 legislation.

"It is absolutely sickening that police officers, staff and other emergency workers, putting themselves in harm’s way every day to help others, are being faced with violence and the threat of contamination.

"I have spoken to a number of injured officers over the past month and know how traumatising this is, both for the officers and their families, worried about the consequences.

"I have no doubt the vast majority of people will be equally appalled and agree that anyone putting public service workers in harms way during this crisis, or indeed at any time, deserve the harshest of sentences."

Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner,Sussex Police

In Sussex, 122 assaults against police officers were recorded between March 23rd and April 28th, an increase of 58% compared with the same period last year.

Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that coughing or spitting at officers or other emergency service staff and claiming to have coronavirus will 'not be treated as some sort of practical joke'.

Katy Bourne has said those caught will face 'harsh consequences':

"I’m appalled that the women and men on the frontline of this crisis are being threatened with the virus that they are working so hard every day to protect us against.

"Whilst most people are behaving responsibly to help our emergency services, a few individuals are continuing to act selfishly.

"In many ways this pandemic has already brought out the very best in our communities but where it brings out the worst, offenders will be swiftly brought to justice."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that such behaviour could constitute common assault, and attacks on emergency workers specifically were punishable by up to two years in prison.

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